Sluicing dredge



Feb. 10. 1 925.

L. H. FALLEY SLUICING DREDGE Filed March 26, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR:

ATTQRNEYS- Patented Feb. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS H. FALLEY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO M. H. FALLEY, OF

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI,

SLUICING DRELDGE.

Application filed March 26, 1923. Serial No. 627,697.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS H. FALLEY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Kansas City, county of Jackson, State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sluicing Dredges, of which the following is a complete specification.

The present invention relates to apparatus for use in dredging or operations of an analogous character in the beds or banks of streams or waterways, and one of the objects is to devise an improved apparatus of this general type which is adapted for operation on the sluicing principle for effecting the shifting of the material of such banks or beds, or for protecting the same from the action of the water current, or any of the various similar functions involved in the primary purpose of the apparatus as a means for controlling the water flow and its action as regards the material being constantly picked up and deposited by the water in its course down the stream.

As one embodiment of the improved construction, I have devised a water baflling and deflecting structure adapted to operate in an efficient manner for effecting the desired control or modification of the water current, said construction comprising a set of battle and deflecting elements with means for directing the water flow into the proper relation to the various baffle elements. The apparatus further comprises means for splitting up the water flow into minor currents prior to its engagement with the baffle elements, and so directing or controlling these minor current movements as to obtain the most effective result and flow of the water as it lea ves the baflle structure, with a view to producing a combined damming of the main current flow through the apparatus and a deflection of the water discharged thereby into the desired direction.

It is also sought to provide an apparatus which may be readily constructed and adapted for operation at any desired angle with reference to the stream current, or in assemblies of more than one unit of the structure, and to further the usefulness of the improvements the apparatus is adapted for convenient portable use and provided with means for supporting and readily adjusting the same into different working positions, as well as into inoperative position when desired.

With these various objects in View, the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating one form of construction and mode of operation which I have devised for embodying the proposed improvements, after which those features deemed to be novel will be particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan View of a sluicing dredge constructed in accordance with the present invention, certain portions of the structure being broken away;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line IIII of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows the device in rear elevation;

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line IVIV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side view of the device on a smaller scale, and illustrating the same in its operative relation to a boat, together with the means used for supporting the device in its operative position;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the device, with arrows representing the direction of the main current of the stream in which the device is operated, and also the direction of the minor current set up by the device due to the action of the water baflling and deflecting element of the apparatus; and

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view illustrating the surface changes in the material forming the bed of the stream, due to the sluicing operation of the improved device.

Referring now to the drawmgs in detail, these illustrate an apparatus designed to operate in a manner in some respects similar to that described in my copending application Serial No. 596,337 filed October 23, 1922, over which the present application aims to define important features of improvement. The apparatus herein illustrated comprises a substantially triangular frame construction, although not limited to this particular shape,'as a framework of semi-circular or any other form adapted to the purpose may be employed. One side of the frame comprises a plain batlle wall adapted to be set at an angle to the current as represented in Figure 7, and terminating in a curved extension 11 designed to deflect the water flow in a more pronounced lateral direction toward the other side of the device. This other side of the frame comprises a battle member '12 of a type similar to that described in my aforesaid application and provided. with an upper row of baflle elements or fingers 13 and a lower row of similar fingers 1 1, both sets of battle fingers being of slightly twisted form and projecting forwardly i. e. in the direction of the current, (see Figures 4: and in such a manner that the lower bafile fingers 14 are adapted to produce a plurality of minor or secondary currents in a downward direction and laterally away from the device, while the upper fingers 13 will produce similar secondary currents in an upward direction and laterally away from the device. Preferably, a baffle plate 15 is mounted in front of the upper battle fingers 1S, and a baffle plate 16 is mounted in front of the lower batlle fingers 14 so as to cause all of the secondary currents produced by said fingers to be released only at the extremities of said baffle elements or fingers 13 and 141-. The rear end of. the baffle plate 16 is connected to the rear end of the wall 10 by a cross brace member 18, and from each of the rear corners of the framework projects a rearwardly and upwardly extending arm 19, designed for supporting the battle structure in a manner hereinafter explained.

Extending rearwardly from approximately the middle line of the rear face of the battle member 12 is an inclined partition member 20 joining said baffle member 12 with the wall 10, and above this partition 20 is a hood or *anopy member 21 extending approximately parallel to the partition 20 and from the upper rear corner of the wall 10 to the upper ends of the baffle elements or fingers 13, as illus trated in Figures 2 and 3. To give fur ther support to the member 21. the partition member 20 carries a number of battle elements 22, at intervals along the series of upper baffle fingers 13, with. the end edges of the elements 22 lying in the same plane with the end edges of the fingers 13. The battle elements 22 serve also to subdivide the water flow entering the compartment 23 between the partition 20 and hood 21, and distribute such water flow evenly to the upper row of battle fingers 13.

Beneath the partition 20 is a vertical wall or partition 25 intern'iediate the sides of the device, and the lower portion of this partition 25 is connected with the lower margin of the Wall 10 by an inclined bot tom 26, thus forming beneath the partition 20 a water receiving compartment 27 which discharges upward through an opening 2 in the partition 20 into a passage 29 formed by a partition 30 connecting the partitions 20 and 21 in the compartment 23'. This partition extends from the side wall 10. intermediate its ends. and curves forward to one end of the upper baffle plate 15. This provides a separate course for a part of the current of the stream. which is con ducted upward and forward through the passage to the forward end of the side wall 10, where it is intercepted by the curved extension 11 and thereby deflected late ally in the same direction as the minor or secondary currents produced by the bal'lle finger structure. Preferably the extension 11 is provided at its upper margin with a horizontal plate or blade 31 to retain the current from passing over the top edge of said extension.

As illustrated in. Figures 1, 3 and -l. I may in some cases mount an auxiliary set of lower battle fingers ll beneath the partition 20 to the rear of the balllc fingers .l l. for the purpose of initiating the battle action desired to be produced by means o i the lower baflle fingers. as hereinafter 031-- plaincd. This auxiliary set of fingers 14' may be removably secured in place by means of bolts 32 or the like. for attaching the plate 33 carrying said fingers 1-1" to the partitions 20 and The rear ends of the arms 19 are pivotally connected, as indicated at 133. with the forward ends of a pair of arms 36 adapted for the adjustable support of the baffle structure beneath the prow of a boat 37. is illustrated in Figure The opposite sid s of the boat may be provided with parall 1 tracks along which may be adjusted a pair of fulcrum bolts 39 for the rear ends of the arms 36, said bolts being adapted to be clamped in any adjusted position, by means of a nut -10, and clamping washers ll provided with each bolt and adapted for clamping engagement with the tracks 33 (see Figure (3). Any suitable mechanism may be provided for regulating the height of the baftle structure and lifting it into and out of operative position. the drawings illustrating cables 4-2 attached to the forward ends of the arm 36 and both operated by means of a suitable winch 43 carried on the boat whereby the height of the forward ends of the arms may be (.OllYQlllOlll'lff regulated. Another lifting cable 4 3 is sccured to a bracket 45 attached to the vxtcnsion 11 of the device. this cable 4 being carried over a pulley on the end of a boom 46 fulcrumed on the declt of the boa t. and a winch device l? serving to operate said cable. The pcsition of the llfifili'l in is regulated by means of a cable 418 operating over a pulley 49 on the upper end of as shown in Figure 5.

a mast 50 and connected with a winch 51. It is obvious that by this construction the position of the baffle structure may be readily shifted to different depths, and when not in usemay be elevated into the inoperative position illustrated by the dotted lines in Figure 5.

Preferably, one corner of the device, as the rear end of the bafile wall 10, is provided with a depending post 55 to serve as an aid in anchoring the device when in an operative position on the bed of a stream, In this position, the lower margins of both the walllO and thepartition are more or less embedded in the bed of the stream, so that the principal pressure exerted by the stream upon the device is against the baffle wall 10.

One of the positions of use of the device is illustrated in Figure 5, and the manner in which the baffle action of the device modifies the current of the stream is indicated by the arrows in Figure 7. The apparatus is so located that the current of the stream enters the compartment 23, and also both compartments beneath the partition 20. That part of the current which enters the lower compartment at the left of said partition 20 is acted upon by the lower baffle fingers 14, resulting in the formation of numerous secondary currents which are directed forcibly e downward against the material of the bed of the stream. The vigorous sluicing action thus produced loosens up the material and washes it away from its original position, and the effect of this operation is to form a series of trenches in the paths of the minor or secondary currents as they are deflected from the several baffle fingers 14, as illustrated by r the wavy surface appearance shown in Figure 8.

That part of the stream current which enters the compartment 23 between the par titions 20 and 21 is of course directed against the upper bafiie fingers 13, producing a multiplicity of upwardly and laterally directed secondary currents, the effect of which is to exert a washing or sluicing action upon the currents established by the lower set of baflie fingers; that is, a greater carrying effect is produced by this'means, the upper setof laterally moving currents acting to pull along the lower set of digging currents, and serving to accentuate the movement of the latter and the carrying force thereof. The carrying power of these combined laterally moving currents is also increased by the trench formation illustrated in Figure 8, which provides channels facilitating and guiding the described lateral movement of these currents.

That part of the current which enters the compartment 27 flows through the passage 29 and is intercepted by the forward extension 11 of the baffle wall 10 and thereby deflected laterally in the same direction as the other portions of the current but a trifle in advance of those currents i. e., farther down-stream. The purpose of this is to produce a damming action upon the other secondary currents given off by the bafiie structure, and in a measure reinforcing the deflecting action of that structure, with a View to enabling the lateral currents to carry the material suspended therein as far as possible before depositing the same. As fast as this material is removed by the described sluicing action, the points from which the material has been taken receive further material brought by the current from above stream, so that the dredging operation simply repeats itself and is therefore continuous.

The auxiliary set of baflie fingers 14 may be used in certain cases, as where the bed of the stream is packed more or less hard and solid, requiring a more prolonged digging action, this auxiliary baflie structure simply feeding or sluicing to the main set of digging baflie fingers 14.

Some of the principal sluicing operations for which the improved device is particularly adapted may be herein referred to. One of these is the use of the apparatus for establishing and maintaining navigable channels in rivers or streams, or for straightening the main channel in such waterways, by. so locating the apparatus as to sluice the material forming the bed of the stream in the proper manner, digging it at in assemblies. of two or more, for any such operations as involve the control of the water flo-w of a stream, for securing the desired result as regards shifting of the material forming the bed of the stream. One of the primary features of importance is the fact thata device of the character described may be operated out far enough from the shore or bank to take advantage of the swifter currents of the stream, with the result that the secondary currents pro duced by the apparatus are that much stronger and have greater carrying power, and consequently the device will sluice to a greater distance from the point of its location.

It will thus be apparent that I have de vised a practical and efiicient apparatus for accomplishing the desired objects of the invention, and one which may be conveniently installed and its operative position regulated as required by suitable adjustment of the supporting means above described. \Vhile I have illustrated and shown what I now regard as the preferred form of construction, I desire to reserve the right to make all such changes or modifications as may fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A sluicing dredge apparatus comprising a baflie structure adapted to be submerged in the path of a water current,'said structure being composed of a plurality of batlle elements operative to break up and deflect the current at an angle to its normal path, and means for conducting a part of said current and deflecting it laterally in advance of or farther down-stream than that-- portion of the current deflected from said bailie elements.

2. A sluicing dredge apparatus comprising a baflle structure adapted to be submerged in the path of a water current, said structure having an upper and a lower row of batlle fingers operative to break up and deflect the current at an angle to its normal path, a partition member adapted to divide the current as it approaches said bafiie fingers, and a baffle plate extending longitudinally in front of each of said rows of battle fingers to confine the discharge of the currents deflected from said fingers to the end portions thereof.

8. A sluicing dredge apparatus comprising a baflie structure adapted to be submerged in the path of a water current, said structure having an upper and a lower row of balfle fingers operative to break up and deflect the current at an angle to its normal path, a partition member adapted to divide the current as it approaches said bafl'le fingers, and bafflje member provided with a plurality of downwardly extending baflle fingers removably secured in place beneath said partition and at the rear of said lower row of battle fingers.

a. A sluicing dredge apparatus comprising a battle structure adapted to be submerged in the path of a water current, said structure having an upper and a lower row of bafile fingers operative to break up and deflect the current at an angle to its normal path, a partition member adapted to divide the current as it approaches said battle fingers, a second partition member extending from the upper ends of said upper row of bafl'le fingers rearwardly and approximately parallel to said first partition member, and means for conducting a portion of the current through the first partition member and past one end of said-upper row of baflle fingers and deflecting said portion of the current laterally in advance of or farther downstream than that portion of the current acted upon by said balfle fingers.

A sluicing dredge apparatus comprising a battle structure adapted to be submerged in the path of a water current, said structure being composed of a plurality of battle elements operative to break up and defleet the current at an angle to its normal path, a battl wall located at an angle to said current and operative to deflect the same toward said baflle elements, said wall having a forward laterally projecting extension adapted to deflect a portion of said current laterally in advance of that portion of the current acted upon by said baflle element.

6. A sluicing dredge apparatus comprising a battle structure adapted to be submerged in the path of a water current, said structure having an upper and 'a lower row of baffle fingers operative to break up and deflect the current at an angle to its normal path, a baflle wall located at an angle to the current and operative to deflect the same toward said battle fingers, a partition member adapted to divide the current as it approaches said baffle fingers, a second partition member extending between the upper ends of said upper row of fingers and said baffle wall and approximately parallel to said first partition member, and a partition structure adapted to conduct a portion of the current through said second partition member and past one end of said baffle structure, said ba'tl'le wall hav' "1g a forward laterally projecting extension adapted to deflect said portion of the current laterally in advance of or farther down-streamthan that portion of the current acted upon by said battle structure.

7. In combination with a boat, apparatus adapted to be submerged in the path of a water current, a pair of supporting arms having their forward ends pivotally connected to said apparatus, means providing slidingly adjustable and pivotal. connections between the other ends of said arms and the sides of the boat, and means for raising and lowering said arms about the axes of said pivotal connections.

8. In combination with a boat, apparatus adapted to be submerged in the path of a water current, a pair of supporting arms having their forward ends piv'otally connected to said apparatus, means providing slidingly adjustable and pivotal connections between the other ends of said arms and the sides of the boat, and means for angularly adjusting said apparatus with reference to the forward ends of said arms.

9. In combination with a boat provided with parallel tracks at the opposite sides thereof, apparatus adapted to be submerged in the path of a Water current, a pair of supporting arms having their forward ends pivotally connected to said apparatus, fulcrum bolts for pivotally supporting the rear ends of said arms, said bolts being adapted to be adjnstably secured along said tracks,

means for raising and lowering said apparatus with reference to said arms, and means for raising and lowering said arms 19 about the axes of said bolts.

In witness whereof I hereunto affix my sign atnre.

LEWIS H. FALLEY. 

